A Northwood school board member who posted racist and vulgar messages on social media resigned Tuesday, a day before the school board was set to discuss his conduct.

Gary Caron’s social media activity, which included racist and sexually explicit posts targeted toward conservatives, particularly supporters of Donald Trump, had become the focal point of public outrage.

Brian Winslow, the school board chair, said Caron’s social media comments were “obscene and objectionable and have caused significant concern” within the community. Winslow asked Caron to step down from his position and Caron resigned Tuesday afternoon.

“These actions have also created a distraction from the important work of the school board, which is focused on the education and well-being of the Northwood student,” wrote Winslow.

Prior to his resignation, residents were gearing up to voice their concerns and demand Caron’s resignation at Wednesday’s school board meeting. Expecting a large turnout, the meeting was also moved from the town library to the  Northwood School gymnasium. 

With Caron’s departure, the five-member school board finds itself with a vacancy, although still able to function.

“Not having one member puts us at even numbers which in a democratic situation, you sometimes want an odd number, so there aren’t ties. We can operate without one if needed,” said Nate Byrne, the superintendent of the district.

The school board might appoint an interim member until the next election cycle, he said.

Caron primarily used the platform X, formerly known as Twitter to target and reply to conservatives with racist slurs, explicit sexual language and violent threats. His posts grew more vulgar in 2022. By 2023, his responses to political opponents began to heavily include racial slurs, sexual language and violent threats. This was the same year he was elected as a school board member.

 In a letter to Winslow posted on Facebook, Caron said his posts were taken out of context, which in turn increased his social media footprint.

“The hysterical follow up by the MAGA sympathizers and others on Twitter did more for accumulating followers than any comment I could or did make since Elon Musk removed restrictions to free speech,” Caron wrote. “In one day my following tripled with supporters and like-minded individuals. I could not stand by and not comment on these MAGA Republican deplorable key board basement dwelling investigators.”